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Dave Payette's avatar

Desmet definitely has some clouds hovering over him. I remember reading the part about surgery under hypnosis in his book, and should have investigated it further. And, if it is really true that he did not report a patient whom he knew to be a serial murderer on the basis that he thought he'd cured him, that's simply outrageous and unforgivable. However, I think CJ is taking some shortcuts here in his own arguments and thus presenting us with yet another Hegelian Dialectic trap.

The Mass Formation Psychosis is not new as a known phenomenon. Desmet expanded on the concept in helpful and timely ways, and particularly as it relates to psychology. However, it has manifested itself many times throughout history, including in our own time before Covid, and has been written about extensively. Consider Dutch tulips in the 16th century or contemporary North Korean society. Although not expressly named as such, Arendt had much to say about this phenomenon. To his credit, Desmet acknowledged her throughout his book. He also leaned heavily on Joost Merloo who he failed to acknowledge properly in my view.

Then, there is the matter of what many of us see with our own eyes. Have you not experienced as part of the 'new normal' this bizarre existence where 'everything is fine, life is normal, and we can talk about anything, except reality'? Have you not seen people freeze and zone out right before your eyes when you try to talk about anything that goes against the narratives and then suddenly snap back and change the subject as if you said nothing? When I've encountered this, it has certainly felt like I was witnessing something deeply psychological. Others who have had similar encounters have said the same to me. Of course, this is anecdotal and I'm no psychologist, but unless I'm mistaken, neither of us is. I simply suggest you are being bit overly dismissive of the Mass Formation Psychosis theory because of issues specific to Desmet.

The existence of a MFP and a deliberate agenda on the part of powerful people who knew and know exactly what they are doing are perfectly compatible possibilities in my view. I know when I first read Arendt's 'The Origins of Totalitarianism', I certainly felt I was following in the footsteps of our Covid-era oppressors insomuch as it seemed very clear to me that they too had studied her work very closely a long time ago.

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Dave Payette's avatar

Dear 2nd Smartest, a follow up comment to you and to CJ:

Dividing those who are united in their opposition to the tyranny and weaponizing them against one another is not a good move. It plays into Power's hands perfectly, as does the excessive ad hominem you sometimes indulge in. It makes it relatively easy for those who want to to undermine the important substance of what you are saying, thereby making those who may be reluctant but reachable less likely to hear you. Again, all this plays into Power's hands.

It's fine to call out Desmet for his issues. I certainly have no problem with that. But making that the focus or letting the merits of Mass Formation, which, as I have said is well documented by others before Desmet, live or die based on Desmet's personal credibility is a mistake. Mass Formation may well be just another tool our elites have used to pursue their heinous agendas.

Our enemies are not to our right or our left. They are united above us and pressing down hard. The real battle should be singularly focussed in that direction. Anything else is a distraction on the part of We the People, which is exactly what Power wants.

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